Grantham, PA (November 20, 2021) - The DeSales University women's basketball team dropped another tight contest falling at #5 Messiah University, 69-67, in the championship game of the Falcons Tip-off Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

The Basics

• Final Score: #5 Messiah - 69, #9 DeSales - 67
• Records: DeSales (1-3 Overall); Messiah (4-1 Overall)
• The win gives Messiah a 10-8 lead in the all-time series between the two teams.

How it Happened

• Messiah took an early 7-2 lead before the Bulldogs battled back to tie the game at 17 at the end of the first quarter on a three from senior Rylie Rittenhouse.
• A 3 from sophomore Lindsey Welsh gave DSU its first lead to start the second quarter before a 7-0 Messiah run put the hosts up 24-20.
• The rest of the quarter was back-and-forth with DeSales taking a one-point lead into the halftime locker room on a driving layup from Rittenhouse with 39 seconds left in the half.
• The Falcons took control in the third quarter opening up an 11-point lead with 1:52 to go in the quarter before the Bulldogs scored the final four points to get within seven, 57-50.
• DSU continued to trail by seven with 7:54 left when the Bulldogs used a 6-0 run to get within one point (62-61) with 5:25 to go.
• It was still a one-point game with 1:36 left when junior Maria Newsome gave DSU its first second-half advantage (67-66) with 39 seconds left.
• The Falcons quickly answered on the other end as DeSales took a timeout with 24 seconds left.
• Out of the timeout Rittenhouse got a quick look at a step back three-pointer that was short and Messiah hit 1-of-2 free throws on the other end giving the hosts a 69-67 lead with 14 ticks left.
• DeSales hustled down the other end and had a long look at a game-winning three at the buzzer that was off the mark giving the Falcons the win.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Rittenhouse, along with junior Megan Bealer, each had a team-high 16 points.
• Senior Averi Jordan finished with 15 points, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

For the Foes

• Leah Springer recorded a double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds.
• Eleana Eckley finished with 15 points and Amber High had 12 off the bench.

Inside the Box Score

• Messiah dominated the glass out-rebounding DeSales, 40-22, for the game.
• DSU forced 24 Falcon turnovers.
• The Bulldogs shot well hitting 46.4 percent from the field and 9-for-18 (50%) from three-point land.

Up Next

• DeSales returns to action on Tuesday when they travel cross town to take on Moravian University beginning at 6:00 pm.